Sergio Martinez Loses a Step but Retains Title

by Michael Gluckstadt

Martin Murray, Sergio Martinez - Photo Credit: Will Hart (Click for Slideshow)

Sergio Martinez’s triumphant return to Argentina was nearly spoiled by the Englishman Martin Murray in a fight that raises questions about how much the 38-year-old middleweight champion has left. In front of 40,000 of his screaming, rain-soaked countrymen at Club Atlético Vélez Sarsfield in Buenos Aires, “Maravilla” was stretched to his absolute limit, touching the canvas numerous times--though only one of them ruled an official knockdown--en route to a too-close-for-comfort unanimous victory.

After a rough middle patch, Martinez needed the last two rounds to secure the win. He called on his famous reserve strength and received encouragement from the crowd, ultimately taking them both and netting himself scores of 115-112 across all three judges’ scorecards.

The night had started out strong for Martinez, who came out to a frenzied crowd and explosive fireworks display. With heavy bursts of rain and the occasional flash of lightning, he remained unfazed in the ring.  A day earlier with reports of a storm swirling, Martinez had remarked, “The weather won’t bother me; he has to fight in it too.”

Read the Complete Sergio Martinez vs. Martin Murray Fight Recap on HBO.com.

Broner's Impressive Run Continues With a 5th-Round KO

by Michael Gluckstadt

Adrien Broner, Gavin Rees - Photo Credit: Will Hart

The latest performance of the Adrien Broner show was held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City Saturday night, an entertaining fifth-round knockout of the Welshman Gavin Rees. Before a supportive crowd, Broner danced around and outclassed his opponent in the latest of his string of impressive-looking victories.
 
It seems nobody told Rees that he was meant to be a supporting player in the evening's program, so Broner took it upon himself to deliver the news. Rees came out at the opening bell with a head of steam, testing Broner with shots to the body. In a telling exchange early in the fifth round, after Broner landed a shot to the side of Rees' head, Rees motioned to Broner that he hadn't been hurt--so Broner went ahead and punched him flush on the face.
 
Soon after, Broner brought Rees down to one knee with a thudding shot to the body. Rees got up from that and continued to press on bravely, until at the end of the round, his trainer Gary Lockett threw in the towel.
 
Rees had also been knocked down in the fourth round, when Broner landed a thundering left uppercut squarely on Rees' jaw. Broner had started the fight off slowly, taking the first round and a half to figure out what Rees was bringing to the table. Then, Broner came alive and began dancing for the crowd, feinting large windup haymakers before delivering crisp shots to Rees' body.

In the third, Broner really got going. He landed an extensive combination with Rees against the ropes. When he found himself tied up in an awkward hold, Broner threw--and landed!--a punch behind his head.       

"No one's ever treated me like that in a boxing ring," Rees would say after the fight. "I knew he was going to be powerful, but his power really stung me. I got reckless in the third and fourth and that was pretty much the end of it." As for the prospects for his opponent, Rees said, "He's not a superstar in the making, he's already there".

Read the Complete Adrien Broner vs. Gavin Rees Fight Recap on HBO.com

Another Round of Trash Talk at the Broner-Rees Weigh-in

by Michael Gluckstadt

In the lobby of Caesars Atlantic City, Gavin Rees had already put on his shirt and walked off the stage while Adrien Broner continued to yell, "It's fight time!" to his fans. This came after Broner had refused to part ways with his soda can before stepping onto the scales and whispered menacingly in his Welsh opponent's ear during the face-off for the cameras. As the 5'7" Broner leaned down toward his opponent, also listed at 5'7" but more generously so, a fan shouted, "He's short." Broner smiled widely and said, "It ain't about short, it's about class." Wearing leopard-print socks, he added, "Sex sells."

Broner (25-0, 21 KOs), after finally ditching the Sprite can for a brief second, weighed in at exactly 134 pounds. Rees (37-1-1, 18 KOs) came in at 134.5.

In the co-featured fight, Australia's Sakio Bika (30-5-2, 21 KOs) and his Montenegrin opponent Nikola Sjekloca (25-0, 7 KOs), both weighed in at 167.5 pounds for their 168-pound title eliminator bout.

Click for More Adrien Broner vs. Gavin Rees Fight Info

Fans Weigh In: Chavez the Crowd Favorite, But Lee Has His Supporters

By Michael Gluckstadt

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. - Photo Credit: Will Hart

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is a wildly popular and polarizing figure. He has legions of Mexican fans who insist he is the second coming of his famous fighting father; but nearly as many doubters who wonder question the level of competition he's faced until now. These fans wonder if Andy Lee might be the first to expose Chavez's ceiling as a fighter. On Facebook, there are many more believers than doubters, with over 75% of the nearly 500 respondents picking the Mexican over the Irishman. But on HBO.com and Twitter, the results are a lot closer to an even split. "It's going to be a long night for Jr. if he won't level his game up several notches against Lee," warns e. corales on HBO.com

Here's some more of what you had to say:

- Andy Lee is tough as nails and will get it done!  I actually see "Jr." getting hurt by the 9th and stopped by the 11th. – Eric Sabadin (HBO.com)

- Chavez is finally fighting a worthy opponent and will lose. #ChavezLee - @Artman22

- Chavez was impressive against Rubio in implementing Freddie Roach's tactics of working the angles. If he continues to improve, then he prove himself to be the fighter his fans seem to think he is. – Jim M. (HBO.com)

- If Chavez Jr. can step up a notch or two on defense, footwork, and movement, I think he can easily dominate Andy Lee. They should have worked on it by now. Martinez inches in closer by the minute. – e.corales (HBO.com)

- Chavez will win the fight...body shots are gonna beat Lee down... - @realpolo13 (Twitter)

- Considering Chavez Jr. lacks the ability to utilize his physical attributes of outboxing his opponent, he'd rather hang around on the inside unnecessarily, lumbering body shots against willing sub par fighters winning close hometown rounds in his favor. I see Lee being able to outbox Chavez for the win, but we'll wait n see. – Riky Ricardo  (HBO.com)

Manny Pacquiao to Fight Timothy Bradley on June 9th

By Michael Gluckstadt

Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley Press Conference - Photo Credit: Chris Farina - Top RankThe last time Timothy Bradley fought, it was in the shadow of Manny Pacquiao, having his way with Joel Casamayor on the undercard of Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez. This time, Bradley will be right in the spotlight as the latest challenger to take down the legendary Filipino fighter. Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) will enter the ring with an unblemished record and notable victories over Devon Alexander and Lamont Peterson. And he feels like it’s about time.

"I've definitely earned it," Bradley said a New York City press conference. "I worked my whole life for this opportunity and I've seized every moment. I've captured the world championships. I'm a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter. I became the top fighter at 140. What's next?"

Next, is a shot at one of the sport's biggest names. Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs), who has recently been hinting that he may not have too many fights left in him, is expecting a tough battle from the opponent, who is five years his junior. "I'm sure that it's going to be a good fight because of Tim Bradley's style," he says. "He loves to fight toe to toe and keep coming inside. But my problem is the head butt so we need to watch that. I'm sure we'll keep a good fight. June 9th is going to be historic."

The fight will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, June 9th at 9:00 PM ET/6:00 PM PT. It will be proceeded by four weeks of 24/7 programming beginning May 19th at 9:45 PM ET/ 6:45 PM PT.